News — Boating Safety

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TIPS FOR WINTERIZING AND STORING YOUR PONTOON

By: Harris Boats

At the end of summer it’s important to take steps to ensure any boat is protected from sun, moisture and freezing temperatures while it’s sitting still. Hiring a professional to winterize and/or store your boat is the easy way to go, but for do-it-yourselfers we’ve put together a checklist of tasks to complete before putting a pontoon away for the season.

Dry-docking is advised in regions where snow and ice are likely, because ice can crack the hull of the boat, but below are recommendations for all regions.

• Clean the boat inside and out. Apply mildew and rust protection, and ensure the boat is completely dry before it’s covered.
• Remove accessories, water equipment, and fishing equipment to prevent moisture build-up.
• Cover the boat whether it’s kept inside or outside. Shrink-wrap the boat before you cover it, to lock out moisture and keep the cover from sagging even when rain or snow accumulates. If your boat is stored outside, be sure the cover is supported enough to shed water in the worst conditions. This is an especially important part of the process for pontoon owners, because the protective fabric of a pontoon cover is spread over a wide area and must be able to support the weight of rain or snow that might accumulate into a pool and potentially damage the railings or other parts of the boat. If the pontoon cover collapses it can be worse than not having a cover, because the cover will trap moisture into the deck and furniture.
• Use insect/rodent repellent to prevent mice from chewing through the canvas cover.
• Prepare the engine by spraying fogging oil into the carburetor and into the spark plug holes.
• Fill the gas tank to at least the 3/4 mark.
• Change and replace oil filters.
• Remove the battery, fully charge it, and store it somewhere cool.
• Drain engine coolant and replace it with a non-toxic, propylene glycol-based antifreeze (ethylene glycol base will release toxins into the water).
• Those who boat year-round should use a good boat lift and a quality enclosure to protect against wind and rain.

Protecting boats from the worst of winter weather helps insure a hassle-free launch in the spring. More importantly, keeping a pontoon in top condition is an essential part of protecting your investment, saving money in repair costs over time, and adding years to its life on the water.

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.

Boat safely: Follow these tips for inclement weather

By: Accuweather.com

Monitoring the forecast, as well as the marine weather forecast, is crucial to boating safely because the weather can often change quickly, leaving boaters in a precarious position if unprepared.

On April 25, severe thunderstorms swept through Dauphin Island, Alabama, while the annual Dauphin Island Regatta was taking place. Five people were confirmed dead and more than 40 individuals were rescued, according to AL.com.

In a recently released report by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating fatalities in 2014 totaled 610. While the number of fatalities rose from 560 in 2013, 2014 was still the second-lowest number of yearly boating fatalities on record. Of the 10 known contributing factors of accidents, weather was ranked ninth, causing 45 deaths and 78 injuries. And in recent years that number is getting better. 

The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is one of the leading organizations for promoting a safer recreational boating experience. Rachel Johnson, NSBC Executive Director, said working together with other boating safety agencies, including the Coast Guard, to promote safe boating campaigns has been a significant factor in raising awareness.

“I think it’s really getting out to boaters and making them more aware of how to boat more safely each and every year,” Johnson said.

Although National Safe Boating Week recently concluded, instituting safe boating practices must be done year round.

Be Prepared Before Leaving the Dock, Take a Boat Safety Course

When learning how to properly operate a boat, a key aspect is getting a firm grip on understanding how to read the weather. The number-three cause of boating incidents according to the Coast Guard, is operator inexperience.

The NSBC trains professionals who then, using the curriculum installed by the organization, instruct recreational boaters throughout the country.

While weather preparation isn’t a primary focus, it still plays a key role in the NSBC’s training efforts, according to Johnson.

Johnson gave the example of learning how to dock a boat and perform a close-quarters maneuver near the shore, which can be very tricky if the wind is blowing.

“Weather is a very important part of boating and it’s a very important part of safe boating,” Johnson said. “We always encourage boaters to make sure they are always keeping an eye on the weather because it can change quickly, it can change drastically and it can really affect your day.”

Ensure That You Have the Proper Equipment

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all recreational vehicles must carry one Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person on board. The most important safety measure the NSBC recommends to boaters, regardless of weather, is to wear a life jacket. According to AL.com, an Alabama state trooper said he "did not believe” that any of the Dauphin Island Regatta victims had worn life jackets.

Having the proper communication equipment is important too. A VH-FM radio is key, especially since cell phones can become unreliable if you head further off shore. If heading out more than 25 nautical miles from shore, satellite phones are recommended.

Earlier this month, the Coast Guard released its new mobile app for boating safety. The app comes with a detailed checklist of the latest safety regulations, the ability to find the nearest NOAA buoy, as well as a way to request emergency assistance.

It also lets you send a float plan to friends and family faster than ever before. From kayakers to deep-sea fishermen, filing a float plan with the Coast Guard is recommended for anyone heading out on the water. A float plan consists of detailed information about where you departed from, the time and place you’re expected to return and any other pertinent details about your trip.

Coast Guard-approved, marine-style fire extinguishers and visual distress signals (flares) must also be kept on board.

How to Manage and Prepare for Adverse Weather While on the Water

From rapidly changing winds and waterspouts to severe thunderstorms and fog, there are plenty of weather threats to boaters.

Thunderstorms are one of the more common dangers to mariners because they can develop quickly.

According to both the Coast Guard and National Weather Service, boaters should never venture out if thunderstorms are a possibility. If out in the water and you notice approaching storms, return to land or shelter as soon as possible.

If unable to return to land, it’s best to “stay inside the cabin and avoid touching metal or electrical devices.” If your boat doesn’t have a cabin, stay as low as possible in the boat, the NWS states.

Fog is another danger that can disorient a boater and disrupt their navigation and like thunderstorms it can form quickly. According to the NWS, fog is typically considered dense when it reduces visibility to below a mile.

When on a vessel, the Coast Guard suggests to keep a close eye out for these signs that may indicate a change in weather:

Key Indicators of Changing Weather

What to do When Caught in a Storm

Fog Safety Tips From the NWS

Bargain Pontoon Boat Wraps Not Always A Bargain

Does taking shortcuts for winter storage pay off?

By: Dan Armitage

As many of my fellow pontoon boat club members readied their craft for the off-season, I grew intrigued by the DIY, alternative and after-market solutions some came up with for protecting their boats and related gear. Some of these non-traditional apps are put into use by my resourceful fellow boaters during the boating season as well, and are of value for those lucky pontoon boaters south of the Mason-Dixon Line who don’t know the meaning of “off” season and may enjoy their craft year-round.

For example, you will find covers intended for back yard use on chaise lounges and Adirondack chairs protecting the furniture of some members’ boats. The patio furniture covers are less expensive than semi-custom covers designed for the job, wear well under typical conditions, and the fact that the generic one-size-fits-all covers don’t fit all that tight allows air to circulate and the upholstery to breathe a bit, which can help prevent mildew in the damp environs the boats are subject to. And when conditions aren’t typical, and a loose-fitting captain’s (aka: Adirondack) chair cover goes gone with the wind, it’s less expensive to replace.

If you’ve run across any non-traditional uses for items aboard a pontoon —or any other watercraft – we’d like to see ‘em. Meanwhile, here are a few I stumbled across during a recent late-season walk around the local pontoon boat club – and one photo I snapped last winter that reminded me that going with cost cutting alternatives may not be the bargain you, well, bargained on…